Archive · 27 Dec 2025
Delhi Faces Severe Smog, Revives Old Vehicle Ban
The Supreme Court of India has brought back a rule that stops very old diesel and petrol cars from being used in Delhi and nearby areas.
This rule was first made in 2015 and supported by the court in 2018.
The goal is to make the air cleaner.
The Delhi government is also thinking about bringing back shared taxi services, like those provided by Ola and Uber, which were stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is to help reduce the number of vehicles on the road and lower pollution.
The government is also setting up more places to check if commercial vehicles are polluting too much.
All these steps are to make the air cleaner and easier for people to travel.
However, Delhi is currently facing severe smog conditions with an AQI of 359, which is in the 'Very Poor' range.
This has caused flight delays at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, with 51% of flights being delayed.
The smog is due to a combination of cold weather, calm winds, and dense fog, which trap pollutants.
The Commission for Air Quality Management has relaxed some strict pollution controls as the air quality improved temporarily, but they warn that it could get worse again soon.
Supreme Court revives ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi NCR.
Enforcement actions include impoundment and fines for non-compliant vehicles.
Delhi faces severe smog conditions with AQI reaching 359, causing 51% flight delays at IGI Airport.
GRAP-III restrictions are in place to address the severe air quality, with 7 monitoring stations recording 'Severe' AQI.
Delhi government considers reviving shared taxi services to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and lower pollution levels.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Delhi Government, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
- What
- Revival of ban on old vehicles, severe smog conditions, flight delays, and GRAP-III restrictions
- When
- 17 December (Supreme Court Order), 26 December (Government Announcement), 27 December (Severe AQI recorded)
- Where
- Delhi NCR
- Why
- To address rising pollution levels, toxic air quality, and to provide affordable and convenient transport options
- Date of Supreme Court Order
- 17 December
- Affected Vehicles
- Diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years
- Action Allowed
- Impoundment and fines
- Emission Norms
- Bharat Stage (BS)-IV
- Initial Ban Order
- 2015 by National Green Tribunal
- Supreme Court Upholdal
- 2018
- Current Restrictions
- GRAP-III restrictions
- Shared Taxi Services
- Being considered for revival to provide affordable and convenient transport options
- Automated Fitness Testing Stations
- Being increased to ensure vehicles meet pollution standards
- AQI on 27 December
- 359 (Very Poor)
- Primary Pollutants
- PM10 and PM2.5
- Flight Delays at IGI Airport
- 51% delayed departures
- Average Departure Delay Time
- 17 minutes
- Severe AQI Locations
- Vivek Vihar, Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Nehru Nagar, Shadipur, Wazirpur, Rohini
- GRAP Stage IV Curbs
- Revoked on 24 December
- Reason for AQI Improvement
- High winds and favorable meteorological conditions
Sources
'I Support Clean Air in Delhi, But Vehicle Ban Policies Must Protect Livelihood'
Delhi Steps Up GRAP Enforcement, Targets Polluting Buses And PUC Centres
Delhi govt considering revival of shared taxi rides to curb pollution
Delhi Transport Department intensifies anti-pollution drive; 28 goods buses impounded
Delhi air quality worsens again: AQI slips into ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ zones
Smog Returns To Delhi As Air Quality Slips Back Into 'Very Poor' Zone
After two days of slight relief, Delhi breathes ‘very poor’ air again
Smog returns to Delhi: AQI slips to ‘very poor’ range, 51% flight delays at IGI airport as haze reduces visibility
